Religious leaders across the country, particularly Islamic clerics have been charged to love one another and imbibe the spirit of tolerance and perseverance as exemplified by prophet Ibrahim and his son in order to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in the country.
The admonition was part of the lecture delivered by a Kishi born Islamic scholar of international repute,Khalifa fadeelat sheikh Muhammodu Jamiu Sanusi Ajadi a.k.a Ami Olorun (wonders of God) at the 2nd edition of the Annual Ramadan lecture, organized by the Sabigana of Iganna land,His Royal Majesty Oba Diamond Saliu Abdul azeez Oyemonla Agunloye,Ilufemiloye 1.
The epoch event, held at Iganna town hall featured several Islamic clerics, political stalwarts and distinguished personalities across the council area.
While speaking on the theme :’Inter Religious Conflicts and Altercations in recent time: Islamic perspectives’, Sheikh Jamiu Sanusi noted that religious crisis and social vices being experienced in the country are as a result of selfish desires of religious leaders.
He emphasized that islam is a religion of peace and the primary responsibility of religious leaders is to preach peace, love, unity and togetherness in order to curb all forms of restiveness.
The guest lecturer stressed that love, tolerance and perseverance is the only antidote to address family discord, societal upheaval and inter religious disharmony in the society.
He admonished Muslim leaders and the society at large to turn a new leaf through peaceful coexistence and moral uprightness.
The Sabigana of Iganna land,Oba Saliu Oyemonla, while speaking, showered encomium on the guest speaker and described him as a shining light of Oke-Ogun and Nigeria as a whole.
The Sabigana reiterated that he deliberately chose the topic to address inter-religious crisis and also to educate the people of the society on the need for religious tolerance and societal peace and stability.
He stressed that in recent time, religious leaders across different
faith have been promoting religious disharmony on social media through their sermons, thereby fuelling religious crisis in the country.
He warned that such act is inimical to the peace of the nation.
Oba Sabigana therefore charged religious leaders to be mindful of their utterances and should not use religion to plant seeds of discord among the people.
He also urged the leaders and followers alike to have attitudinal change in promoting peaceful co-existence.
In their goodwill messages, the Chairman 2nd Ramadan lecture Planning Committee Hon Alhaji Abdul Rasaq Arikeuyo,Alhaji Dauda Yekeen Papa, and Prince Qasim Olayiwola, also lend credence to the importance of religious tolerance, peace and stability.
They admonished religious leaders irrespective of their tribe or religion affiliation to always promote peace, love and togetherness.
The event had in attendance the Olokaka of Okaka,Bajigan of ilaji ile,Amunijio of ijio, Executive Chairman Iwajowa local government Hon Murtala Oyewumi, Former Chairman Iwa LCDA Hon Tajudeen Olori, Director, Town Planning, Lagos State Alhaji Jiariogbe Rasak and Sheikh Ibrahim Ali falaq alilulahi among others.
The highlight of the programme was the recitation of the holy Quran and music entertainment by Iganna born musician, Alhaja Nafisat Okola adini.
Report By Kaseem Jenrade